Trees and shrubs

Tamarisk can be classified into three species: Tamarix aphylla, T. parviflora, and T. ramosissima. On some continents, it is reported as an invasive species since it crowds native vegetation out. Here are a few maps that show the distribution of Tamarix

Russian olive, or Elaeagnus angustifolia, is native to Europe. On other continents, it is reported as an invasive species since it crowds native vegetation out. Here are a few maps that show the distribution of Russian olive

Albizia, though a magnificent tree, can be a truly invasive weed in places where it isn’t native.

Scotch broom, although a delightful shrub, is not to be planted everywhere. This European native fought with other plants to secure its own living space in its native habitat.

Horticulturists love its yellow blooming, but French broom (Genista monspessulana) is actually invasive in many countries. It’s a dangerous fire hazard, too!

Bradford pear, or Pyrus calleryana, used to be all the hype in ornamental gardens throughout the United States and Europe. Today, common sense labels it for what it is: an invasive tree that’s

Hawthorn is a shrub often used for defensive hedges, and it is also very ornamental.

In the vast Cornus family, Japanese dogwood is an outlier thanks to its one-of-a-kind fruits and flowers. This will for sure add a touch of exotic originality to your garden.

In the birch family, Betula utilis jacquemontii catches the eye thanks to its superb silver-white trunk.

Araucaria araucana, or Monkey puzzle tree, is a surprising evergreen conifer that’s very ornamental.

If you’ve got a large garden, go ahead and plant a Gleditsia triacanthos, you’ll savor its cool shade during summer. And, you’ll marvel at the honey locust‘s sweet fall fruit pods in fall and winter.

The sweetgum tree is reputed for its nice star-shaped leaves and the flamboyant yellow, orange and red hues it displays in fall.

European hophornbeam is a beautiful ornamental tree that can reach quite an impressive size when fully mature.

Caucasian elm facts Name – Zelkova carpinifolia Family – Ulmaceae Type – tree Height – 100 feet (30 meters) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary Foliage – deciduous Flowering – April Planting Caucasian elm Indifferently, in fall or spring. Follow our guidelines on planting trees. This is a very hardy tree, down to -10°F […]

Caryopteris, also called bluebeard, is a shrub that is unique thanks to its blooming.

Carpenteria californica is a very beautiful spring-blooming shrub.

To help you choose your shrubs depending on their blooming season, Nature-and-Garden recommends this selection of the most beautiful flowering shrubs for each season.

Ceanothus is a tallish shrub that brings bees and butterflies to the garden in spring thanks

Brugmansia, also called “Angel’s Trumpets” for the magnificent flowers shaped like trumpets, is a very interesting and ornamental shrub.

Acer palmatum, or Palmate maple, is a type of Japanese maple that is without a doubt one of the most beautiful autumn shrubs.

Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Umbraculifera’ is a special variety of black locust tree. It sprouts dense twigs and leaves from the crown of the tree and forms a shrubby, umbrella-like canopy that is very dense.

A short-lived species in the Pear family, Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) bears particularly abundant blooms in early Spring. Bradford pear key facts Name – Pyrus calleryana ‘Bradford’ Family – Rosaceae Type – tree Height – 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 m) Exposure – full and part sun Soil – no special requirements Foliage – deciduous Flowering – March to […]

Bladder-senna is a shrub bearing unique surprising flowers and fruits, and it’s easy to care for.

Bottlebrush buckeye is a shrubby tree that spreads more than it grows tall. It’s a relative of the chestnut tree and has the same leaves. Bottlebrush Buckeye facts Name – Aesculus parviflora Family – Sapindaceae Type – shrub Height – 6 ½ feet (2 meters) Exposure – full sun or part sun Soil – ordinary, well drained Foliage – deciduous Flowering – June to […]

Although plants survive in nature without being pruned, this practice is often needed to increase flowering or fruit formation.

Boxwood is probably the shrub that best personifies the notion of “French garden”.

Running contrary to popular belief, the pruning of boxwood is actually very easy, and doesn’t endanger your shrub in the least. Pruning boxwood is a practice that

Also going by the name “Himalayan lantern”, Agapetes bears red bell-shaped flowers on long, swaying stems.

Bay laurel reminds one of the Mediterranean Coast with its very fragrant foliage.

Don’t let your garden turn all drab in winter! Make it evolve into a space that is appealing all year long by planting trees with highly ornamental bark.

Azalea japonica is a small heath shrub that provides evergreen, bushy growth. Its main appeal, however, is the massive blooming: beautiful flowers ranging from pink to red, purple and white.

Mistletoe, or Viscum album, is a plant classified as a parasite for many species of trees.

Bamboo is a beautiful modern evergreen shrub, but if unchecked, it may spread uncontrollably.

Fall is the season of nature’s grand finale, an explosion of color before a well-deserved rest. Like a show of fireworks, a culmination of powerful fiery bursts of color bursts forth from trees left and right in the scenery and in the garden. Gold in particular flashes and shines in all its rich tan-to-orange leaves, […]

Barbary fig key facts Botanical name – Opuntia ficus‑indica Common names – barbary fig, Mickey Mouse cactus, prickly pear, tree cactus Family – Cactaceae Type – perennial cactus Height – 15 feet (5 m) and more Exposure – full sun Soil – light, well-draining, any pH Hardiness – not hardy (minimum 50°F or 10 °C) […]

Lonicera purpusii, the ‘Winter Beauty’ honeysuckle, offers us deliciously fragrant winter blooms.

Barberry is an original shrub much appreciated for its foliage, defensive properties and blooming.

The Handkerchief tree, the Dove tree, and even at times dubbed the Ghost tree, people’s imagination runs wild when it comes to giving this tree’s unique blooming a name.

Not all willows grow tall. Some stay short and cute! Here are some willow shrubs to discover. Wise willow facts Name – Salix Family – Salicaceae Type – shrub Height – 3 to 13 feet (1 to 4 m) Exposure – full sun Soil – cool Foliage – deciduous Flowering – March Planting willow shrubs Best planted in fall to promote root development before […]

Apart from its very hard wood and its elegant ornamental appeal, the ash tree has long been used for its health benefits and therapeutic properties.

Winter honeysuckle, Lonicera standishii, is among the unavoidable winter blooming shrubs.

Anisodontea, or Cape mallow, is a beautiful shrub that blooms in spring. It deserves a prominent spot in gardens or balconies and terraces.

Dogwood trees illuminate the garden in winter with their colorful bark and elegant, wispy shoots that wrap themselves in diamond-like sheathes of frost. The stylish abstract bearing adds a modern touch to the garden.

Cyphomandra is a fruit tree native to the tropics. It bears delicious fruits with firm flesh and a tangy taste.

American black elder is a beautiful flower shrub noted for its edible fruits that are a boon to our bird friends.

Alyogyne, also called Lilac hibiscus, is a remarkable shrub with generous blooming.

Native alternatives exist to plant instead of invasive Scotch or French broom. They’re even more beautiful, if you consider that planting them restores habitats and

The Albizia tree is famous for its fabulous summer blooming.

From Spring to Winter, dress your garden in lovely pink blooms.

Pieris come in a multitude of varieties and put on a show all year round in the garden,

Andromeda is a shrub that stays beautiful from spring to winter thanks to abundant blooming in spring and changing flamboyant hues for the leafage during the rest of the year.